Despite their instant antipathy, Lou Hernandez and Rory Kinley must work together to stop an art forger. They eventually learn to trust each other, but will their growing attachment survive what's to come--or be destroyed in the process?

Officer Lou Hernandez is surprised when he's asked to help Gideon Monahan catch an art forger. He's not too happy, though, when he meets the man he'll be working with. Lou thinks Rory Kinley is a supercilious pain in the ass. Rory, on the other hand, sees no reason why Lou has been brought into this. After all, he's just a cop, albeit one who is good at going undercover.

The art forger they're after--Nate Hanks--cons collectors, saying he has an undiscovered painting by a famous artist. He's killed one of his marks already to keep from being caught.

Lou and Rory will have to set aside their differences as they set up a sting to stop Hanks. When they do, they discover they may not be as incompatible as they thought. The question becomes, will their growing feelings survive what's to come--or be destroyed in the process?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"With each book in this series, I am becoming more convinced that art crimes are my new passion! Yes, there have also been murders (which I find more difficult to deal with), but mostly the stories have been focused on the different types of art, the artists who produced the works, and the things that can go wrong when criminals get their hands on the more valuable pieces. This third book is a case in point--it's all about forged art that is used to take greedy collectors for a ride.

"If you like the idea of watching the process of setting a clever trap for an art forger, if you want to know more about two men who think they can't like each other only to discover they may be very well suited, and if you're looking for a read with all kinds or art and the men who produce it, some twists and turns in the capture of a criminal, and a happy ending, then you will probably like this novella."

"I'll have another, Jack," Lou told the bartender at his favorite local watering hole, tapping his empty beer bottle.

"You got it," Jack replied, adding, "I thought two was your limit."

"Usually, but tonight I'm breaking my rule."

"I'll pay for it," a man said, taking the empty stool beside Lou, "and one for me as well."

Lou turned to see who was offering to buy his drink.

The man, who had dark blond hair and looked in his mid-forties, smiled. "We haven't officially met, Mr Hernandez, but I was at the trials for both of the men involved in the death of John Pierce. My name is Gideon Monahan."

Lou cocked his head. "That rings a bell. I think Quint Hawk mentioned you at one point. You have something to do with recovering stolen art."

"I do...privately. I'm not connected with the FBI or any other law enforcement agency." Gideon took a drink when the bartender set it down in front of him.

"So you tracked me down to congratulate me on helping to put them behind bars?"

"Yes. I don't like it when one of my operatives is murdered. However, that's not the reason I'm here. I'm impressed by the job you did to trap them. You seem to be good at undercover work, the same way John was."

"I don't swing that way," Gideon huffed in reply. Then he chuckled. "I know... Well, I hope you weren't serious."

"Nope." Not sure I like his reaction, but...might as well hear him out. "So, back to what you said. I'm good at what I do. I'd better be. I am a cop."

"An excellent one, from what I've heard. I could use a man like you."

"Sorry. Not interested. I'm a police officer for a reason. I like my job. With luck, I'll make detective soon."

"So Lieutenant Harber told me when I talked with him this afternoon."

"About me?" Lou raised one dark eyebrow in question.

Gideon nodded, turning to put his back to a man who had just sat down on the stool next to him. "Why don't we find a table where we can talk without being overheard?" he suggested quietly.

With a shrug, Lou picked up his fresh beer, following Gideon to a table in the back corner of the bar. When they were seated, he said, "I've already told you I'm not interested in leaving my present job."

"That wouldn't be a problem, as far as I'm concerned. As I said, I talked with your lieutenant. He's willing to loan you out to me--"

"Just a damned second," Lou said tightly. "I'm not a...a thing to be passed around at your--or the lieutenant's--whim."

Gideon nodded in agreement. "I phrased that wrong. Let me preface this by telling you that one of the men you helped bring to justice was a small fry compared to the guy I'm after now."

Lou tried not to show any interest in what Gideon was saying, only asking, "How so?"

Born and bred Cleveland, I earned a degree in technical theater, later switched to costuming, and headed to NYC. Finally seeing the futility of trying to become rich and famous in the Big Apple, I joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), ending up in Chicago for three years. Then it was on to Denver where I put down roots and worked as a costume designer until just recently.

I began writing a few years ago after joining an on-line fanfic group. Two friends and I then started a group for writers where they may post any story they wish no matter the genre or content. Since then, for the last three years, I've been writing for publication. Most, but not all, of my work is m/m, either mildly erotic or purely 'romantic', and more often than not it involves a mystery or covert operations.